This year James and I are hosting both our families on Christmas Day. Though my parents and James’ get along famously (thank goodness) It’s going to be the first time we’ve united over the Christmas dinner table and like any other host we want to make sure our guests have an enjoyable and relaxing time.
One of Lottie’s tips in our recent How to Host post was to raid the cupboard for a good after-dinner board game. Well my cupboard is decidedly bare. I’ve got a pack of cards and some dominos but after that there are absolutely no board games in the Coleman household. ‘Organised fun’ isn’t my bag so I don’t plan to stipulate an 8pm start time for a round of charades but it would be nice to have a back-up should the TV schedule fail us in evening.
One of the funniest nights I had last year was on holiday in Corfu playing the ‘party game for horrible people,’ Cards Against Humanity. However with a ten year old in the house I don’t think discussing genitalia or STDs with a huge does of political incorrectness would be entirely appropriate. Come to think of it I don’t think I really want to have that kind of conversation with my mother-in-law either. Lolly did suggest Apples to Apples as a more child-friendly alternative.
As a little one I adored Monopoly. To the point where I’d drive my sister to despair asking her to embark on a marathon game of estate agents. I played it again recently and can’t remember what all the fuss was about. I seem to remember the iron was always my choice of token which is somewhat ironic considering ironing is one of my least favourite pastimes.
This Pie-Face thing everyone was raving about last year where the player ends up splattered in whipped cream – could this be my secret weapon to being the hostess with the mostess? I’ve got my finger poised to batter the Prime account so I need to hear you suggestions! How do I keep ten adults and a ten year old entertained?
This Christmas I’ve been invited to spend the day with family friends who I’ve known since I was a young child. I have some amazing, and some cringeworthy, memories of parties spent playing Trivial Pursuits, Articulate and Pictionary (which I am now banned from playing by said friends).
This year I thought I would throw something different in the mix, we have all memorised the answers to the 90’s Genius Eddition of TP by now, and I have bought Obama Llama as a gift for one friend. It’s a rhyming game (looks kind of similar to Wonky Donkey from Saturday morning tv) and I’m hoping that after a few glasses of fizz it’ll become a new tradition for us to enjoy every Christmas for the next few years.
Leona this is brilliant! Wonky Donkey used to crack me up.
Here’s to new Christmas traditions! x
I love board games! Monopoly deal is currently the favourite in our house – a card version that is quicker than monopoly itself. It can be played as a 2 player or as a multi player. My husband and I play it in the evenings to de-strss after work…so old before our time. You can’t beat articulate for Christmas fun too. We’ve also got Kracker Laker poker to play with our nephews so it could work for your niece? Adults like it too. The one I’ve heard good things about this year is Linkee so I’m going to get that as the new game. What a board game geek I am (and proud!) xx
Loving your dedication to all things board game Sian!
Thanks for the Kracker Laker suggestion – will definitely check this out x
Linkee! It’s a massive hit with my friendship group and can get very competitive (in a good way)- the premise of it is very simple but very addictive.
Merry Christmas!
I’m so behind the times Josie. I’ve never heard of this!
Taking a look now….
I second Linkee! It’s a new favourite with our friends and families (we love a games night…)
We LOVE a good board game in my family. Here are some favourites:
Dixit: really lovely game, suitable for children (6+) and interesting for adults too. Its a bit like a family friendly version of cards against humanity
Perudo (or “Liar’s Dice”): a dice bluffing/betting game, suitable for children from 8+
Labyrinth: I played this loads as a child with my family and have bought it for my little girl when she’s old enough to play. It’s a maze/problem-solving game where you have to collect different items on a constantly moving board.
Codenames: a good party game for a larger group. It involves teams giving each other one word clues to find their “agents” on the board.
The Castles of Mad King Ludwig: a brilliant game for a slightly older group if you’re looking for something a bit longer/more complicated, but still fun and not too heavy (plus you get to build your own castle!).
And finally, Cluedo. You can’t beat a good game of Cluedo at Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Thanks Becky – fab suggestions x
Love a board game at Christmas – its on my list to get a stock for our house. A firm family favourite is Scattergories – best played in teams. Normally results in a bit of “creativity” and much hilarity as rules are debated.
I like anything that has creative license Jenny! x
Scotland Yard is a firm fave in our house – one player is ‘on the run’ around London and the rest are detectives trying to catch him/her. It’s a great concept as the person on the run only reveals where they are every five moves. We used to play it with family friends, whose 10 yr old scarily good at being on the run!
Also I don’t think you can beat a good game of Jenga!
I’m banned from playing Monopoly… I threw the board across the room once… ?
Oh no Jo. Hopefully you’ll be allowed to play it again one day 😉
Already been suggested but Linkee and Perudo are both fab games. Although with perudo you perhaps need one person who has played it before as it can be quite confusing.
Linkee is a fab game for all ages and you can have a designated quiz master which we’ve found that the kids quite like to do.
Great idea on the quiz master. Thanks Kate x
I’m not sure if someone else has mentioned this but me and my family are currently LOVING Mr Lister and The Logo game.
Everyone can get involved and you can buy extra packs for the Logo game to make sure there’s something for the much younger ones, if you wish.
We are a super competitive family and they’ve kept us entertained for AGES!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mr-Listers-Quiz-Shootout-Quick-Fire/dp/B013P7BISC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481876816&sr=8-1&keywords=Mr+Lister
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drumond-Park-1150-Logo-Board/dp/B001VEIXIK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481876832&sr=8-1&keywords=the+logo+board+game
The Logo game is Lottie’s absolute favourite Charlie!
Articulate works well with a big group and isn’t too difficult to get to grips with!
I really want to try out Exploding Kittens… seems like a card game in the same vein as Card Against Humanity but obviously less of the adult-only content!
Also a big fan of Bananagrams – although my Gran always wins…
Exploding kittens sounds so wrong! Have heard good things about it though!
Monopoly brings out the absolute worst in me. To the extent I’ve banned myself from playing!
How about who/where’s in the bag? That was a great crowd pleaser until my immediate family discovered Cards Against Humanity. My mother always wins as she doesn’t know what things are so innocently comes up with the funniest answers. It’s not ok for a ten year old though, you’re right!
Ooooooh what’s the bag game?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Shops/Paul-Lamond-Games-64509-Whos-the-Bag/B0000A120Y
Love who’s in the bag!! Such a fun game. We also always have a round of Trivial Pursuit, I don’t think you can really go wrong with that. Xx
Hi Lauren,
I love board games and party games! One of my absolute favourites is The Werewolves of Millers Hollow! You MUST buy this for Christmas! It is best played in a big group. The premise of the game is, you are all villagers living in Miller’s Hollow….but some werewolves are attacking the villagers during the night. You have to work out who among you are werewolves! You draw a card which reveals your secret identity and you play out your role! There are some villagers with special abilities e.g a witch, a fortune teller and a wild child. It really is the most fun trying to work out who is lying about being a wolf!
Hi Sarah, I think my niece would love this!
Not strictly a board game but the app for iphone, Heads Up! is great fun 🙂
Ahh is that like ‘Who Am I’ – Loads of fun Aimee 🙂
RMS you always read my mind! I have been on the hunt for some board games for Christmas day so this is the perfect post for me! I have never been a big board game player but was introduced to Cranium last Christmas and LOVED it. I have picked up Scattergories to add to the collection this year too but will definitely be reading over the comments to see if there are any others I need to purchase before the “big day”.
I would love to see a post with everyone talking about their Christmas Day plans…is it just me but I love hearing about how people spend the day and different families traditions xx
Hi Sarah, RMF have a lovely post coming on traditions next week x
Ratrace (from the 80’s) is possibly my favourite boardgame EVER and suitable for the whole family. Perfect balance of luck, competitiveness and hilarity and nothing too complicated so it’s perfect after festive drinks have been consumed! My husband and I ‘borrowed’ this from his parents when we started dating as teenagers and the battered box gets hauled out at many parties. Cards against humanity is the absolute best but only to be played with selected politically incorrect and not easily offended persons combined with copious alcohol – so most definitely not Christmas appropriate! Perhaps a NYE option?! x
We’re going to a wedding on NYE! So excited so maybe Cards against humanity may need to wait until next year. Although I know the bride would love it 😉
Ahhh Ratrace – those were the days!
Jigsaws go down very well in my family, especially at that time when one or two people start nodding off in front of the tv or kids can feel included by looking for the edges/corner pieces (a very important job!).
A game I love is ‘who am I?’. Just stick a post-it on your head and you’re away!
Good plan Claire and so easy!
A few suggestions from a household that loves board games!
Camel Up – Really easy to get started and has kept us going for hours. Can entertain all ages if you have kiddos around too
Pandemic or Forbidden Desert – Cooperative games where all players work as a team against the board (my personal favourite type of game!)
Ticket to Ride
Machi Koro
All some slightly different suggestions form the standard articulate, monopoly etc. but all fantastic (plus a lot of awards between them all!).
For a twist on a classic, if you have 6 or more then I’d highly recommend the new Balderdash too!
I don’t think these have been mentioned above but sorry if I’m repeating… Cranium, Taboo, Jenga and Pucket. All family friendly. Hope you have am awesome Christmas day x
Love games… Fave is cards against humanity but defo not a Xmas dinner with parents game. We like bananagrams, you get rid of letter tiles by making your own crosswords. Recently introduced to Dobble which is a picture matching card game super easy to pick up. Also I love pass the pigs. Checking a pair of porkies up in the air so they land in different positions
Love dobble! Getting the description out quick enough is such a challenge though!
As always, great timing! I’ve been on the look out for a new Christmas game. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Loving these suggestions! I’m thinking of picking up ‘Speak Out’ (basically you have to try and say things with a mouth guard in) as a family friendly option this year… has anyone played it?xx
They were using this on Gogglebox the other day hun – looked fun put not particularly attractive 😉
Cards Against Humanity is a huge hit in our household too! The next best game is the homemade ‘bag’ game. All you need is a bag, paper and pens. It’s such a laugh and everybody enjoys contributing to it as well. Hope it’s a laughter fun night no matter what you choose. X
One we discovered this year is Telestrations – a bit like Chinese whispers but you draw the word and the next person has to guess what you’ve drawn. Then the next person has to draw what they guessed and so on,all against a timer. Good fun, particularly after a few proseccos!
Thank you everyone for all your suggestions. I braved Toys R Us to today and got what looked to be the last of the Linkee games!
Thanks again and hope you all have a fab Christmas x